Across Southern California, tobacco-related concerns continue to affect residents’ daily lives. Increased exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke in homes and public spaces, along with rising youth use of e-cigarettes, vapes, and flavored tobacco products, has...
As we approach the holiday season and youth head into winter break, it’s important to learn ways to navigate substance use prevention during this time. While the holidays are often associated with joy, celebration, and time with loved ones, they can also bring...
The holiday season is here, and many of us are fortunate to be surrounded by loved ones, good food, and holiday cheer. The season almost seems to demand that we feel joyful and merry, but the holidays can also bring forth painful memories and emotions. Holidays hold...
As we enter Substance Use Prevention Month, and prepare for Red Ribbon Week in our schools, we want to share information about current drug trends among youth. Our goal is to give parents and community members helpful information and tips for talking with the young...
The doors are open, the mission is strong, and the vision is youth-led: allcove San Juan Capistrano has officially launched! On September 3rd, the Wellness and Prevention Center celebrated the opening of its newest initiative — allcove, a welcoming drop-in center for...
In Orange County, many kids, even middle schoolers, say it's easy or very easy to get alcohol. Briana J, age 17 states - “Underage drinking is everywhere—it’s easy to get and even middle schoolers have access. At school, you can tell when someone’s been drinking by...
The Wellness & Prevention Center is a local non-profit providing prevention education and clinical mental health education to youth and families in southern Orange County. As we wrap up our 11th year serving the community, we would like to share some of the...
"Never A Bother" Campaign Leaves Lasting Impact on Youth Suicide Prevention in South Orange County and Beyond Over the past two years, the Wellness & Prevention Center has proudly participated in a powerful statewide initiative aimed at reducing youth suicide: the...
In the 2023–2024 school year, 23% of 7th grade students in Capistrano Unified reported feeling so sad or helpless almost every day for two weeks or more that they stopped doing some of their normal activities. By 11th grade, this number rises to 28% (California...
CalOptima Health grant to Wellness & Prevention Center helps fund this new resource in South Orange County SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (April 7, 2025) — Orange County will soon have its first allcove, a youth-designed mental health and wellness center in San Juan...